Weak chip shares continue to drag down Tokyo stocks

TOKYO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks continued to decline on Thursday as selling pressure on semiconductor-related stocks persisted due to concerns of sluggish demand.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, fell 0.69 percent, or 269.11 points, to close at 38,911.19.

This marks the first time the Nikkei has closed below the psychological threshold of 39,000 since Oct.